Egg crate



Oct. 29, 1940. R. L. CALDWELL EGG CRATE Fi'led Oct. 12, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y a 6 v I 29, R. CALDWELL 8 Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT oFF cE 1 Claim.

The invention has for its object the provision of a folding case or box which is adapted for use as an egg crate, chicken coop, packing box or the like for shipping and storing goods and commodities and which may be reduced to compact form to occupy a minimum amount of space for return shipment or storing and which when required for use may be easily and quickly setup and which is substantial, light and durable.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent and suggest themselves as the nature of the invention is understood.

While the drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that in adapting the same to meet different conditions and requirements, various changes in the form,

proportion and minor details of construction may 7 be resorted to without departing from the nature of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the application:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the case in set up position,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the case as it appears when folded,

Figure 3 is a transverse section of the case, the full lines showing the same adjusted for use and the dotted lines indicating the same partly folded,

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section, the full lines indicating the relative position of the parts when the case is adapted to receive goods and the dotted lines showing the same partly folded,

Figure 5 is a. cross section of the case, the same being folded,

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of the case, the same being folded,

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view on a, plane indicated by the line 'l'! of Figure 3, and

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view on a plane indicated by the line 88 of Figure 7.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The case comprises a top, a middle or body and a bottom section, the middle or body section being collapsible to admit of the top section folding close upon the bottom section with the middle or body section therebetween. The bottom section comprises a bottom I, end strips 2 and longitudinal strips 3, the latter being of a greater Width than the end strips to admit of the ends of the middle or body section when folded coming flush with the upper edges of the longitudinal strips 3. The bottom section thus formed is hollow and provides a space for the storing ofegg fillers and spacers.

The top section comprises a frame 4 and a hinged cover 5, the latter when closed lying in the plane of the frame 4. The middle or body section comprises ends 6 which are hinged to the strips 2 and sectional sides 1, each comprising two leaves of like size hinged to each other to break joint inwardly and hinged to the frame 4 and strips 3. When the case is extended for use, the end'pieces 6 are disposed between the sides "I and prevent them from collapsing or folding and come between the end bars of the frame 4 and the end strips 2. Metal cleats 8 applied to the upper edge portion of the end pieces 6 engage notches 9 formed in the inner edge portions of the end bars of the frame 4 and are engaged by the cover 5, thereby preventing inward movement of the end pieces 6 when the case is extended or adjusted for service. The parts have a relatively close fit so as to maintain an adjusted position by frictional engagement so as to prevent premature collapsing of the case when the cover 5 is swung into open position. It is observed that all the parts are hingedly connected, thereby preventing loss or misplacement of any of the parts which would happen if the parts were disconnected. A suitable fastening I0 is provided to secure the cover 5 and also operate to secure the case when folded or collapsed. The fastening I 0 is supplemented by a fastening H which is applied to the opposite side of the top section, the two fastenings l0 and II engaging complemental elements applied to the bottom section when the case is collapsed or folded. When the case is collapsed, the end pieces 6 fold inward between the longitudinal strips 3 and the sidepieces 1 fold upon the end pieces 6, the "middle or body section being confined between the topand bottom sections when the case is collapsed. It is to be understood that the case may be constructed of any suitable or preferred material, according to the particular use for which it is intended.

What is claimed is:

A folding case comprising a bottom, end and longitudinal strips rising from the bottom, said longitudinal strips being higher than the end strips, end pieces hinged to said end strips and adapted to fold between the longitudinal strips, inwardly folding sides hinged to said longitudinal strips on axes above the axes of the hinges of the end pieces and adapted to fold upon the end pieces when the latter are in folded position, the sides in the folded position extending above occupy said opening, a cleat carried by each end piece to extend through said opening and engage the end strips of the frame in the unfolded condition of the case, said cover when in closed position serving to prevent disengagement of the cleats with the end strips, a depending fastener on each side strip, staples for engagement by said fasteners carried by the longitudinal strips, and a staple carried b one of the sides also engageable by one of said fasteners.

ROBERT LEE CALDWELL. 

